desecration

noun

ˌde-si-ˈkrā-shən How to pronounce desecration (audio)
Definition of desecrationnext
as in violation
an act of great disrespect shown to God or to sacred ideas, people, or things the communicants were aghast at the desecration of the altar

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of desecration The Tesla’s desecration follows a vandalism spree in Queens that saw religious centers, homes and vehicles defiled with swastikas and antisemitic slogans last month. — Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 26 June 2026 Brothers Keith and Terrence Nicks were found guilty by separate juries of desecration of human remains, removal of human remains and removal of more than 10 gravestones and markers. — Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026 However, the Supreme Court in several cases has struck down any improper use or desecration of the flag on the grounds of free speech, according to the Library of Congress’ most frequently asked questions about flag law. — Darleene Powells, Boston Herald, 10 June 2026 Gerlach is facing nearly 500 charges — including burglary, abuse of a corpse and desecration of monuments — tied to a disturbing investigation at Mount Moriah Cemetery near Philadelphia, the outlet reported. — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for desecration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for desecration
  1. violation
  2. blasphemy
  3. sacrilege
  4. corruption
  5. profanation
  6. cursing
  7. defilement
  8. insult
Noun
  • Lawyers in the gas station lawsuit assert that technology is enabling antitrust violations.
    — Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Beijing has and been accused of serious human violations, including large-scale arbitrary detention of Uyghur and other Muslim minorities, in Xinjiang.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 1 July 2026
Definition of violation
Noun
  • This was a weak case for blasphemy.
    — Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
  • The president later removed the post in the face of outrage and accusations of blasphemy.
    — Laura Kelly, The Hill, 4 May 2026
Definition of blasphemy
Noun
  • That’s sacrilege on par with an Ohioan disowning football or a Texan recoiling at the smell of brisket, a Kentuckian thumbing his nose at college basketball.
    — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 2 July 2026
  • Sure, Texans are very hospitable, but playing anything other than country music over the speakers is normally considered sacrilege in that establishment.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Definition of sacrilege
Noun
  • The electoral authority based the candidate bans on a law against corrupt practices that in previous years saw some parliamentary seats bought with money linked to drug trafficking, corruption and tax evasion.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • Seems like far too many appreciate this type of corruption, and making money on SM for lies, is precisely that.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
Definition of corruption
Noun
  • Scottish hen parties were deemed to contain ritualistic profanation.
    — Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025
  • No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move; ’Twere profanation of our joys To tell the laity our love.
    — John Edgar Wideman, The New Yorker, 8 July 2021
Definition of profanation
Noun
  • In about seven minutes, with pushing, shoving, and cursing, the agents cleared a path for the van.
    — Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
  • People would literally be in the drive-thru cursing at me.
    — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Definition of cursing
Noun
  • In this way, Lapid keeps the emotional aspect of Y’s self-defilement at the forefront of the drama.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of defilement
Noun
  • According to Spell and members of his congregation, the man had a history of verbally harassing them with threats, insults and racial slurs.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 25 June 2026
  • Michael Lind, the writer and New America co-founder, argues in Commonplace, the magazine of Oren Cass’s American Compass, that a decent wage and a safety net should be enough, and that handing workers a stake in capital insults the dignity of their labor.
    — Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of insult

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Cite this Entry

“Desecration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/desecration. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on desecration

Nglish: Translation of desecration for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about desecration

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